It sounds bizarre but for the second season in a row, one of Arsenal’s new signings was forced to end his game prematurely after seeing red, Laurent Koscielny last season and Gervinho yesterday.

Speaking on the incident, manager Arsene Wenger explained that the referee had to show the same colour for both players adding that Joey Barton, as it was the case last season, escaped with a yellow card when he should have seen red.

Asked about the performance of centre backs Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny, the Frenchman joked that had the Gunners conceded he would have been bombarded with questions about why he signed no defenders and that the two deserve credit for a top class performance.

Wenger concluded by saying that he is not against spending money provided his scouting team can find players who can improve the squad with the Arsenal boss again insisting that he has a big squad available and that if players are sold they will be replaced with “top quality”.

After the 0-0 draw, the manager said:

[Gervinho's red?] I think I saw two yellows or two reds but not one yellow and one red. There is a link between the incident [and Diaby’s sending off last season]. He got away with a yellow card both years.

[Koscielny and Vermaelen?] If we had conceded a goal I would have been bombarded with questions about why I don’t buy a centre back! They have to take credit.

I am not against spending money if the players we buy can improve our squad. We have a big squad and if some players leave we will try to bring players in. We request top quality and we are not scared to spend money.

It is important that there is a love between the fans and the players. The players have shown a commitment that deserves the support of the fans. In 15 years, look at the quality of players I have bought to this club.

Thegunninghawk.com